Mumbai (Bombay) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. It is also the wealthiest city in India. Mumbai is the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of India. It is also one of the world's top ten centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow.

The city houses important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India, the SEBI, and the corporate headquarters of numerous Indian companies and multinational corporations.

Travel Tips:

Currency

The units of Indian currency are the rupee (INR). Paper money comes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 rupees. Coins are in denominations of 50 paise, one rupee, two rupees, five rupees and ten rupees. International airports have currency-exchange booths that are always open for arriving or departing overseas flights. It is a good idea to change a certain amount of money in small denominations.

Tourists are required to make a declaration on the Currency Declaration Form given to passengers upon arrival regarding the amount of money (currency or travelers' cheques). There are no restrictions on the amount a tourist may bring into India. Cash, bank notes, and travelers' cheques up to US$ 1,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in convertible currencies should be exchanged only through authorised moneychangers and banks that will issue an ‘encashment certificate’ that is required at the time of reconversion of any unspent money. The encashment slip is also required when paying hotel bills or travel expenses in rupees.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Indian cities and larger towns, particularly American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, and Visa. Credit cards can also be used to get cash advances in rupees.

When leaving India, you can exchange the unspent rupees back to your currency. Exporting of the Indian currency by foreigners is strictly against the rules. Banking facilities are usually located in the same airport hall as the check-in counters. It is best to access these facilities before immigration, as they might not be available thereafter. Some shops also accept USD at the airport departure terminal, apart from credit cards.